Now that we've had some time to digest the aftermath of Damian's death — and to see what story elements DC has introduced into its comics over the last few months — it's time to revisit the question:

Who will be the next Robin?

Unlikely Candidates

At the time of Damian's death, just about any character seemed like a possible replacement. After all, DC had some time to build even a brand new character into someone that could be accepted as Batman's sidekick.

But now, there are some early candidates that don't seem likely now. Pre-New 52 characters like Katrina Falcone, Beryl Squire and Cassandra Cain haven't gotten much — or any — screen time since Damian died.

Another long-shot candidate we included in our early list was someone from the Court of Owls, and that's still a possibility (particularly with the Court just getting its own September Villains issue). Yet there's been no hint of a Court character that could play the role of Robin, so it's looking like this isn't on DC's radar.

However, a few of the earliest guesses have ended up being even more likely...

Carrie Kelley

At the time of Newsarama's list, there was one candidate we named who — we admit — we thought was a bit of a pipe dream. She was a character from Frank Miller's beloved graphic novel Dark Knight Returns — a Robin from the future named Carrie Kelley.

Although it turned out that Carrie was just wearing that Robin suit as part of a costume party, but it was enough of a tease that it thrust Carrie Kelley into the role of leading candidate for Robin.

And her appearance in April wasn't just a one-time thing. Carrie keeps showing up in the Batman and Robin title (renamed Batman and… since Damian's death) — and we expect that this is the title where a new Robin would be introduced.

When she appeared in Dark Knight Returns, which is set in an alternate future of the DCU, she was the first female Robin. It would make sense for DC to honor this new version with the same type of title.

So far, Carrie appears to have a lot of things going for her in the New 52 as a potential Robin — she's apparently a trained fighter, she's got a connection to Damian, and she seems to be liked by Alfred (who has hired her to help with Damian's dog).

But perhaps most telling is the solicitation for this week's issue of the series, Batman and Two-Face #25: "Who is Carrie Kelley, and how can her mysterious connection to Harvey Dent help Batman?"

Right now, the main Batman title by Scott Snyder — who created her — is set in the past of the DCU. Maybe when it gets back to the present day, we'll see more of Harper Row and find out whether she's the new Robin… or something else.

Tim Drake

Let's admit it — we all kind of miss Tim Drake being the Robin suit — a job he left only a few years ago when Batman's son took over.

But in the New 52, Tim has been less associated with the Bat-family — spending most of his time as one of the Teen Titans.

With that added spotlight, it's entirely possible that the former Robin might be the subject of a storyline that sees him coming back to his job as Bruce Wayne's sidekick. He wouldn't even have to change his name, because in the New 52 continuity, Tim apparently wore the title "Red Robin" even when he was working with Bruce in the Batcave.

It would also eliminate the problem of explaining why Bruce would get close to someone new — and why he'd put a new person in harm's way after his son died fighting crime. With Tim Drake, it's not a new person, and the dude is already putting himself at risk every day as a Titan.

Stephanie Brown

In the pre-New 52 universe, Stephanie Brown served as a Robin for a short period of time and was the first in-continuity female Robin. That makes her ideal for the new job opening, because since the reboot, she hasn't shown up.

Might she be introduced in an effort to be the new Robin? It's certainly possible. And James Tynion IV, who is writing her introduction, has indicated that while she's be true to the core of her character (from former incarnations), she will have a new role in the New 52.

Damian Wayne

Before the boy's body was even buried, comic book fans were speculating about how he would come back to life. Would he be a clone, like so many other characters in the storyline where he died? Could he be resurrected through a Lazarus Pit or other magical device?

But a few things have gotten us thinking that DC might be setting up a resurrection for Damian Wayne. First, he's starring in a high-profile comic right now. Granted, it's an "alternate future" Damian Wayne, but it's him nonetheless.

Second, his body (along with that of his mother) is missing from its gravesite. In October's Batman and Two-Face #24, readers were reminded that the bodies are missing — the empty graves still unfilled. And Bruce Wayne swore he would go after Ra's Al Ghul for taking the bodies.

The aforementioned James Tynion has been giving Ra's a lot of attention lately, bringing him into his Red Hood and the Outlaws series, and spotlighting him in a September Villains Month issue.

Might DC be setting up a showdown between Bruce and Ra's that involves a resurrected young Damian? As the grandson of Ra's and the son of Bruce, Damian's loyalty was always a center theme of his appearances. Could the return of Ra's Al Ghul be part of an upcoming Batman event that invokes those missing bodies? It certainly seems so.

And if Damian returns — whether as a clone or a Lazarus Pit beneficiary — it's not beyond reason to think he could return to the role of Robin.